Writing your knowledge mobilization plan

Shawna Reibling, Knowledge Mobilization OfficerEmail: sreibling@wlu.ca

Twitter: @MobilizeShawna @LaurierResearch

• KM or KMb (SSHRC) • Knowledge translation (CIHR), • Knowledge exchange (CHSRF)• Knowledge transfer partnerships (UK) • Knowledge dissemination (MSFHR)• ‘Tech transfer’(S.T.E.M. disciplines)• Extension (agriculture)

What is “kmb”?

What is knowledge mobilization?• SSHRC: “moving knowledge into active service for the

broadest possible common good”. SSHRC (2008b). Knowledge impact in society: A SSHRC transformation program. Social Sciences and

Humanities Research Council. Available: http://www.sshrc.ca/web/apply/program_descriptions/knowledge_impact_e.asp

• “accepting a common set of values, such as respect for others’ perspective (to encourage wide participation)”, this is important in “acculturating new participants to function effectively in knowledge networks” Dede, C. The role of emerging technologies for knowledge mobilization, dissemination, and use in education. Paper commissioned by Office of Educational Research and Improvement, US Dept. of Education. www.virtual.gmu.edu

Knowledge mobilization defined• The reciprocal and complementary flow and uptake

of research knowledge between researchers, knowledge brokers and knowledge users —both within and beyond academia— in such a way that may benefit users and create positive impacts within Canada and/or internationally, and, ultimately, has the potential to enhance the profile, reach and impact of social sciences and humanities research.

• http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programs-programmes/definitions-eng.aspx#km-mc

Knowledge mobilization initiatives• Knowledge mobilization initiatives must address at least one

of the following, as appropriate, depending on research area and project objectives, context, and target audience:

• Within academia:– informs, advances and/or improves research agendas; theory;

and/or methods.• Beyond academia:

– Informs public debate; policies; and/or practice;– enhances/improves services; and/or– informs the decisions and/or processes of people in business,

government, the media, practitioner communities and civil society.• http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programs-programmes/definitions-eng.aspx#km-mc

• “End of Grant” KMb: (curiosity-driven research):The researcher develops and implements a plan for making knowledge users aware of the knowledge generated.

• “Integrated” KMb (problem-based research):The researcher engages potential knowledge users as partners in the research process. Requires a collaborative or participatory approach to research that is action oriented and is solutions and impact focused.

Types of “kmb”

Values: relationships, processes, open access, mutual benefit, full-cycle involvement

Why do knowledge mobilization?

PeopleResearch

Research outcomeWhat is your research outcome(s)?

AudienceWho? (Be specific) Why them?

Typical Audience Outreach Tools

• Book?• Publications in Journals (previous publications, top-

tier, open access)• Conference presentations (how many people? Who

will be there?) • Workshops (tailored to audience)• Student training• Classroom• Community

Audience reachHow do you reach them? (barriers, existing relationships) Short & long term

• Leverage what you already have

• Describe use of time, money, people resources.

Source: http://affirmyourlife.blogspot.com/

Source: Barwick, M (2008), Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto

EvaluationEvaluate impact (past & going forward)Don’t wait till the end to evaluate

Selected KMb Products• Face-to-Face Meetings• Reports• Focus groups• Toolkits• Models• Procedures• Website content• Online tool• Policy brief• Meeting• Video• Audio lecture• Community work• Advisory committee• Networking event• Tweets, blog

• Dinner• Presentation• Panel presentation• Opinion piece• Interview (tv, radio, written)• One pager• Clear language summary• Journal publication, book, chapter• Open access publication• Conference presentation, keynote• Professional organization publication• Textbook• Testifying as an expert• Lay presentation• Webinar• Etc.

Reasons NOT to Build a Website

• ‘Everyone else’ has one and social media is cool• My publisher asks me to build one• I don’t know if the audience is online• I know that the audience I want to reach is not online• I don’t have a website with an existing audience• I need a place to put the results (use scholars.wlu.ca

instead)• There are existing places on the web people go to find

out about this area of research• I hate technology and someone else can deal with ‘that

stuff’ for me

Reasons TO Build a Website

• I already have a website that people visit and I want to expand it and/or my existing site in inadequate

• I need to host interactive or non-text products from my work i.e. database, annotated bibliography, videos etc.

• There are no other online credible sources for knowledge in this area

• I already am on social media • I hate technology and someone else can deal with ‘that

stuff’ for me

EvaluationEvaluate impact (past & going forward)Don’t wait till the end to evaluate

How would you concretely report your results to your funder? To your audiences?How will you know you have had an impact?How will you know you are done?

EvaluationEvaluate impact (past & going forward)Don’t wait till the end to evaluate

Research outcomeWhat is your research outcome(s)?

AudienceWho? (Be specific) Why them?

Audience reachHow do you reach them? (barriers, existing relationships) Short & long term

Budget and TimelineIdentify what you need to pay for with money and/or time• Knowledge broker• Clear language training and writing• Web development/IT• Travel• Workshops/venue• Web 2.0 (social media) • Hand outs?

Open Access• Journal articles must be available through Open

Access within 12 months of publication.• How to do this:

1. Pay for it (list specifically how much it costs)2. Choose open access journal.

• What is a journal’s copyright policy? Here

http://library.wlu.ca/services/scholarly-communication#tab-tri-council-tips

Example

• Partnership of 12 universities• Examples of services:

• I need to find community partners to work with • I want to find someone who can put my research to use • I am working with partners but want to grow and sustain my

research program • My graduate student wants work experience with policy-makers • We are doing our own research but we need help • We need to do research but do not know where to start • We need to tap into research, knowledge, and expertise at a

universityPhipps, D. (2008) “Opinion Leader Editorial: Turning Research into Action” in Research Money Oct. 29, 2008: p. 8.

ResearchImpact.ca

ResourcesLaurier Institutional Repository: scholars.wlu.caThis slide deck: Slideshare www.kmbtoolkit.ca

Tri-Council Resources:• Tri-Council Guiding Principles• Research Data Archiving Policy• SSHRC: Open Access Policy• SSHRC: Aboriginal Research Statement of Principles• CIHR: Access to Research Outputs  

• Dissemination of faculty research to the broader public, through materials, events and social media  

• Brokering research partnerships between community members and university researchers  

• Clear language assistance• Social media• Event training• More….

Laurier Services

• Clear language summary writing: Oct. 22, 8:30-9:30am, Bricker Academic112

• Building a digital identity for engaging in social media: Dec. 11, 3-4:30pm, Arts1C17

• How to create a digital identity for engaging your event/conference in social media: December 17, 4-5:00pm, DAWB 1-101A

Register by email: sreibling@wlu.ca

Upcoming Workshops

How will you mobilize your work?

People

Research

Shawna ReiblingKnowledge Mobilization Officer

Email: sreibling@wlu.ca

Twitter: @MobilizeShawna @LaurierResearch

Questions?